Acts 26:15 is a pivotal verse in the Apostle Paul's recounting of his conversion experience. Let's break down its meaning:
"I said, 'Who are you, Lord?'": This shows Saul's (later Paul's) immediate recognition of a divine authority. The blinding light and the voice clearly conveyed a power beyond anything he had encountered before. Even though he was actively persecuting Christians, he was willing to submit to this unknown "Lord" and ask for identification. This openness is crucial to understanding his conversion.
"He said, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.'": This is the core of the verse. It reveals:
The identity of the divine figure: It's Jesus, the one whom Saul (as a Pharisee) believed was a blasphemer and a false messiah. This is a complete shock to Saul.
The connection between Jesus and his followers: Jesus doesn't say, "I am the one you are insulting." He says, "I am the one you are persecuting." This highlights a profound truth: that harming Christians is equivalent to harming Christ himself. Jesus identifies so closely with his body, the Church, that an attack on one is an attack on the other.
Overall Meaning:
This verse signifies a radical revelation and the turning point in Saul's life. It demonstrates:
Jesus's Divinity: Jesus claims to be Lord, and this encounter proves his power and authority.
The Unity of Christ and His Church: Persecuting Christians is persecuting Christ.
Saul's Misguided Zeal: He was acting sincerely but wrongly, persecuting the very person he should have been following.
The Foundation of Paul's Apostleship: This personal encounter with the resurrected Christ is the basis for Paul's authority as an apostle. It wasn't derived from other apostles but from Christ himself.
In essence, Acts 26:15 is a powerful statement about the nature of Christ, his relationship to his followers, and the dramatic transformation that occurs when someone encounters the risen Lord.
Acts 26:15 is a pivotal verse in the Apostle Paul's recounting of his conversion experience. Let's break down its meaning:
"I said, 'Who are you, Lord?'": This shows Saul's (later Paul's) immediate recognition of a divine authority. The blinding light and the voice clearly conveyed a power beyond anything he had encountered before. Even though he was actively persecuting Christians, he was willing to submit to this unknown "Lord" and ask for identification. This openness is crucial to understanding his conversion.
"He said, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.'": This is the core of the verse. It reveals:
The identity of the divine figure: It's Jesus, the one whom Saul (as a Pharisee) believed was a blasphemer and a false messiah. This is a complete shock to Saul.
The connection between Jesus and his followers: Jesus doesn't say, "I am the one you are insulting." He says, "I am the one you are persecuting." This highlights a profound truth: that harming Christians is equivalent to harming Christ himself. Jesus identifies so closely with his body, the Church, that an attack on one is an attack on the other.
Overall Meaning:
This verse signifies a radical revelation and the turning point in Saul's life. It demonstrates:
Jesus's Divinity: Jesus claims to be Lord, and this encounter proves his power and authority.
The Unity of Christ and His Church: Persecuting Christians is persecuting Christ.
Saul's Misguided Zeal: He was acting sincerely but wrongly, persecuting the very person he should have been following.
The Foundation of Paul's Apostleship: This personal encounter with the resurrected Christ is the basis for Paul's authority as an apostle. It wasn't derived from other apostles but from Christ himself.
In essence, Acts 26:15 is a powerful statement about the nature of Christ, his relationship to his followers, and the dramatic transformation that occurs when someone encounters the risen Lord.